The Price of Silence: Italian Football’s Deal with Saudi Arabia
The deafening silence surrounding Saudi Arabia’s human rights record is a stark contrast to the fanfare surrounding the Italian Super Cup, hosted in Riyadh. While millions pour in from Italian football,arms sales,adn exports,the plight of those suffering under the Saudi regime is conveniently forgotten.
This silence is particularly jarring considering the recent awarding of the 2034 men’s football World Cup to Saudi Arabia.Initial outrage has subsided,replaced by a celebratory tone surrounding the super Cup,a mini-tournament featuring Italian giants Inter,Atalanta,Juventus,and Milan.
Amnesty International paints a grim picture, highlighting not only the future implications of the 2034 World Cup but also the current reality of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. The organization points to a record number of death sentences, exceeding 300 executions, the suppression of human rights movements, and the systematic discrimination against women.
The four-year agreement between Serie A and saudi Arabia for the Super Cup, signed in 2018, was met with condemnation from then-opposition figures Giorgia Meloni and matteo Salvini.However, since assuming power and renewing the agreement for another four editions (2024-2029), their voices have fallen silent. This silence coincides with the lifting of the ban on Italian arms sales to Saudi Arabia, despite its ongoing war in Yemen. In 2023 alone, Italy sold €363 million worth of weapons to the regime, a figure comparable to the €417 million sold to Ukraine, a country also under attack.
The financial allure of the Super Cup is undeniable. The agreement brings in €92 million for italian football, with €6.8 million going directly to the Serie A league and the remaining €16.2 million divided among the participating teams.
While the sporting aspect of the Super Cup is captivating, with the atalanta-Inter final showcasing two title contenders, it’s impractical to ignore the ethical dilemma. The knowledge that just kilometers away, individuals are imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for opposing the regime casts a dark shadow over the event.
the silence surrounding these atrocities is deafening, a chilling reminder of the price of complicity. While silence may be perceived as golden, in this case, it is stained with the blood red of injustice.
Teh Super Cup Controversy: A Conversation with Football Legend Francesco Totti
The air crackles with anticipation.It’s more than just the excitement of a Serie A clash; it’s the weight of a moral dilemma hanging over the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh. Today, we’re joined by Italian football icon Francesco totti to delve into this complex issue.
Francesco, welcome. It’s an honour to have you. As a player who’s always been vocal about social justice, I want to get your take on the Super Cup being held in Saudi Arabia.
Francesco Totti: Thanks for having me.It’s a complex situation. I understand the financial benefits for Italian football, but turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record is deeply concerning. It sends a dangerous message.
That’s a sentiment echoed by many. Amnesty International has raised serious concerns about a surge in executions and suppression of political dissent in Saudi Arabia.
Totti: Absolutely. We can’t ignore these issues just as they don’t directly affect us. Football has a unique platform to advocate for positive change.
Speaking of positive change, do you think the renewed agreement between Serie A and Saudi Arabia, despite their human rights record and ongoing war in Yemen, sends the wrong message? Given your experience playing with AS Roma, a club with its roots deeply intertwined with the city’s history and social fabric, I wonder about your thoughts on the responsibilities of football clubs and leagues toward wider societal issues.
Totti: I played for Roma my entire career. I saw firsthand how a football club can be a force for good in a community. We have a obligation to not only entertain but also to inspire change. Aligning ourselves with regimes with dubious human rights records undermines that responsibility.
You mentioned financial implications. Serie A is estimated to receive €92 million from the Super Cup deal. Do you believe the financial gain justifies perhaps overlooking human rights abuses?
Totti: Money is important, no doubt. But at what cost? We risk becoming complicit in a system that violates basic human rights.
even with the initial outrage over the 2034 World Cup award to Saudi Arabia seemingly fading, should the football world be doing more to ensure positive change aligns with commercial interests?
Totti: Absolutely. FIFA and other governing bodies need to implement stricter vetting processes when awarding major tournaments.
We’ve seen Italian politicians who once criticized the deal now silent after assuming power and lifting the ban on arms sales to Saudi Arabia. does this necessitate a stronger stance from footballers and coaches?
Totti: Footballers have a voice and a platform. We should use it to speak out against injustice wherever we see it. Silence is not an option.
The Italian Super Cup in riyadh continues to be a topic of intense debate. We’ve heard Francesco Totti’s perspective, a player who understands the power of football and the responsibility that comes with it. Now we want to hear from you. What are your thoughts?
